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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Twenty three years is the sentence for a man who forced 11 victims from around the Lower Mainland into a life of prostitution, nine of whom were under age when the crimes took place.

Using drugs and alcohol to lure and incapacitate his victims, aged 14 to 19, Reza Moazami would force these girls and young women to have sex with men for money, most of which he would keep.

He would also force them to have sex with him — something the judge referred to as something Moazami considered a “perk of the job”

Sergeant Richard Akin, who worked on this case for four years, is pleased with the sentence, given it’s in line with what prosecutors were looking for.

“We’re thrilled for the young women who were victimized,” says Akin. “Their stories were validated by the court, recognized by the court, and the court sentenced accordingly.”

Moazami will spend just under 18 years in prison, after receiving five years credit for time served.

Akin hopes the sentence sends a message to those exploiting girls and young women, or thinking about becoming a pimp.

“If you continue in your activities, and we get the evidence, and we have the absolutely competent, wonderful Crown [prosecutor] that we had, you might want to rethink what you’re doing,” says Akin.

Moazami’s defense team had argued a sentence in the range of 10-12 years would be appropriate, suggesting the sentence favoured by the Crown would be “excessive” and”crushing”

Akin says while some of the victims are having a degree of success in moving on from this ordeal, others continue to struggle and remain deeply traumatized.